The War Department acquired the former Camp Butner property from private land owners in 1942 to be used as a training and cantonment facility during World War II. The camp was primarily established for the training of infantry divisions (including 78th, 89th, and 4th) and miscellaneous artillery and engineering units. The ordnance used at the camp included rockets, mortars, grenades, and artillery rounds up to 240mm.
On January 31, 1947, the War Department declared Camp Butner excess. Dedudding operations were initiated in 1947 and subsequent inspections resumed in 1949. Six areas identified during dedudding inspections in 1949 and 1950 received land restrictions to ‘surface use only’ due to numerous high-explosive duds found. These areas do not all correspond to known historic training ranges. Most of the affected property was sold back to the original owners, with provisions outlined in the property deed restricting land use to “surface use only.”
This page contains studies and other documentation regarding unexploded ordinance at the former Camp Butner site in and around Butner, NC. In addition to earlier clearance activities in the 1950s and 1960s, there was a more recent USACOE project between 2006 – 2010 that cleared two acres around any residential structures where the property owner gave permission. Additional study after 2012 will result in public education efforts starting in 2023 and, pending authorization and funding from the federal government, additional clearance activities in following years. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) has conducted numerous studies and operations to remediate the unexploded ordnance found in and around the former Camp Butner site. Reports dating back to 2004 may be found below.
Granville County government has stayed in regular touch with the USACOE about this issue. Planning Department leadership were active participants in the USACOE’s Restoration Advisory Board from 2003 – 2010, a board which was re-convened in 2023 to help advise additional public education and clearance activities. (View the August 2023 Meeting Minutes here). As a result of that work, the Granville County Planning Department now adds a stamp to any zoning permits and final subdivision plants they receive which indicates “this property is situated in an area identified by the USACOE as having the potential for unexploded ordnance.”
Decision Document for Military Munitions and Explosives of Concern (August 2022)
This Decision Document is presented by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to describe the selected remedy for the Military Training Munitions and Explosives of Concern Contaminated Munitions Response Site 01 within the Camp Butner Formerly Used Defense Site, Property Number I04NC0009, in Granville, Person, and Durham Counties, North Carolina.
Decision Document for Military Munitions and Explosives of Concern (September 2021)
This Decision Document is presented by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to describe the selected remedy for the Military Training Buffer Area Munitions Response Site, within the Camp Butner Formerly Used Defense Site, Property Number I04NC0009, in Granville, Person, and Durham counties, North Carolina. The Military Training Buffer Area Munitions Response Site 02 is designated as Formerly Used Defense Site Project I04NC000904 (Project 04).
Final Proposed Plan Revision 2 (January 2020)
This Proposed Plan1 is being presented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)2 to facilitate public involvement to review and comment on the Preferred Alternative recommendation for multiple areas within the Camp Butner FUDS Munitions Response Area (MRA), Project 02 (Figure 1).
Camp Butner Proposed Plan – Formerly Used Defense Site (January 2020)
Illustrates the locations/boundaries of the different Projects/MRS. The DD for Project 02 (MRS 9) was approved in September 2020. No munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) nor munitions debris (MD) have been discovered in Project 02 (MRS 9).
Feasibility Study for Camp Butner Munition Response Sites (March 2019)
The objectives of this feasibility study are to evaluate potential remedial action alternatives and recommend the most appropriate remedial approach for each proposed munition response sites.
Final Remedial Investigation Report (March 2016)
HydroGeoLogic, Inc. (HGL) conducted a Remedial Investigation (RI) at the former Camp Butner (Butner) located in Granville, Person, and Durham counties, North Carolina. Field activities from the RI were completed by HGL and its subcontractors from October 2012 through May 2013.
US Army Corps of Engineers Annual Report – 2010
Outlines the project regulatory authority and work performed by USA Environmental, Inc. (USA) for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Savannah District, and describes the removal action conducted at the former Camp Butner located in Butner, North Carolina. This report is an annual report for work accomplished during 2010, and includes supporting documentation that can be found in Appendices A through F. All site operations were performed in accordance with the Scope of Work dated 27 June 2005 and including all revisions through 30 November 2010 (see Appendix A).
US Army Corps of Engineers Annual Report – 2009
Outlines the project regulatory authority and work performed by USA Environmental, Inc. (USA) for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Savannah District, and describes the removal action conducted at the former Camp Butner located in Butner, North Carolina. All activities involving work in areas potentially containing munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) were conducted in full compliance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Department of the Army, and Department of Defense requirements regarding personnel, equipment, and procedures. All site operations were performed in accordance with the Scope of Work dated 27 June 2005 and including all revisions through 24 September 2008 (see Appendix A).
US Army Corps of Engineers Annual Report – 2008
Outlines the project regulatory authority and work performed by USA Environmental, Inc. (USA) for the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville (USAESCH) and describes the removal action conducted at the former Camp Butner located in Butner, North Carolina. All activities involving work in areas potentially containing munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) were conducted in full compliance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Department of the Army (DA), and Department of Defense (DoD) requirements regarding personnel, equipment, and procedures. All site operations were performed in accordance with the USAESCH Scope of Work (SOW) provided in Appendix A (dated 27 June 2005) and Modification 13 to the SOW (dated 30 September 2008).
Final Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (July 2004)
The U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville (USAESCH) contracted Parsons to perform an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) at the project site. The purpose of the EE/CA is to characterize the type, location and distribution of unexploded ordnance (UXO), assess the risk posed by any residual UXO, evaluate risk management alternatives, and identify and recommend the appropriate response action alternatives to address the risk to the public.
Miscellaneous Items
